Behavioral Studies

Behavioral studies take 1-2 hours to complete. Individuals are presented with visual or auditory stimuli (e.g., words, sounds, pictures, etc.) on a computer screen and are asked to respond to the items by pressing buttons on a computer keyboard.

Eligibility :

To be eligible for a Behavioral study you must:

be 18-30 years of age

be a native English speaker (having learned English by age 6)

have at least a high school diploma

not have had any neurological disorders or diseases (eg. stroke, head injury, epilepsy, seizures, brain tumors, brain surgery, Parkinson's Disease)

not have had diagnosis or suspicion of dyslexia or a learning disability

not have any disorders of attention (e.g., ADHD, depression, etc.)

fMRI Studies

Most fMRI studies last 2-3 hours total (1-1.5 hours in the scanner itself) and involve the same type of tasks undertaken in the behavioral studies: simply identifying words, sounds, or pictures on a computer screen and responding with corresponding button presses. Before beginning the fMRI experiment, you will fill out informed consent and screening forms. The experimenter will explain these in detail and answer any questions you may have regarding the task or the scanner itself. When you are ready to begin the experiment, the researchers will have you lie down on a bed in the scanner and insert foam earplugs. Your head will be positioned and padding will be placed around it for comfort and stability. You will be given a response button box in one hand and an emergency squeeze ball in the other. Mirror glasses will be placed over your eyes, which will allow you to view the stimulus screen behind you. Once set, the bed will move into the scanner and the experiment will begin. Throughout the scanning session you will be in full contact with the experimenters through a two-way intercom system.

have any metal pins, plates, prostheses, or implanted devices in your body such as: cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator, insulin or infusion pump, cochlear, otologic, or ear implant, any implant held in place by a magnet, tissue expanders (plastic surgery), implanted catheter, clamp, clips, valves, or other metal, shrapnel or metal fragments

have ever worked with metal (grinding, fabricating, etc.) or had metal fragments enter your eye

have any non-removable body piercing

have tattoos with metallic ink, tattoos or permanent make-up above the shoulders

be pregnant

Note: Dental fillings and crowns are acceptable.

EEG Studies

Most EEG studies last 2-3 hours total (1-1.5 hours in the EEG chamber itself) and involve the same type of tasks undertaken in the behavioral studies: simply identifying words, sounds, or pictures on a computer screen and responding with corresponding button presses. Before beginning the EEG experiment, you will fill out informed consent and screening forms. The experimenter will explain these in detail and answer any questions you may have regarding the task or the EEG procedures. When you are ready to begin the experiment, the researchers will have you sit in a chair where they will position a cap on your head that will record electrical activity on your scalp. They may also insert foam earplugs to prevent you from becoming distracted by noise. Once you have practiced the task and the EEG cap is on, you will sit in a chair in front of a computer screen and respond to the stimuli that are shown as we described above. Throughout the testing session you will be in full contact with the experimenters.

have any metal pins, plates, prostheses, or implanted devices in your body such as: cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator, insulin or infusion pump, cochlear, otologic, or ear implant, any implant held in place by a magnet, tissue expanders (plastic surgery), implanted catheter, clamp, clips, valves, or other metal, shrapnel or metal fragments

have ever worked with metal (grinding, fabricating, etc.) or had metal fragments enter your eye

have any non-removable body piercing

have tattoos with metallic ink, tattoos or permanent make-up above the shoulders